MediCupping

MediCupping Therapy.

MediCupping is successful in effectively treating all soft tissue conditions, whether they are chronic, acute or surgical. MediCupping Therapy can be used for scar tissue treatment, pre-surgery prepping and is extremely resilient for post-surgery recovery (face and body), in breaking down scar tissue. MediCupping Therapy also increases range of motion.

MediCupping Massage offers many advantages to the client such as:

The overall time of treatment is reduced

Rehabilitation/recovery time is decreased

Reduces the need for anti-inflammatory medication

Chronic conditions thought to be permanent may be resolved or greatly diminished

Post-injury trauma

Post-surgery adhesions

Sciatica

Pulls blood supply to the Skin

Treats muscle and joint pain and stiffness

Deep tissue work and release

Moves stagnation and drains fluids

Relieves Inflammation

Strengthens the immune system by promoting the flow of lymphatic fluid

The Technique:

Based on the ancient technique of Chinese Cupping Therapy which has been used extensively in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, MediCupping Therapy is a wonderful variation that combines massage movements and negative pressure with the use of a suction cup on the skin. By positioning a cup at the area to be treated a vacuum is created within the cup that draws the skin and underlying tissue into the cup. This vacuum creates suction and the negative pressure effect increases blood and lymphatic circulation systemically and to the local area, this pulls stagnation, toxins and pathogenic factors out of the tissue. It also loosens adhesions, lifts connective tissue, softens tight muscles, decreases pain, stimulates the peripheral nervous system, promotes freshly oxygenated nutrient rich blood and lymphatic fluid to the muscle, fascia and tissue.

The Benefits:

Separates and breaks down collagen cross-links, and splays and stretches connective tissue and muscle fibers

Increases skin temperature by bringing blood to the surface

Pulls old blood and lymph from the muscle and surrounding fascia to the surface to be disposed of by the lymphatic system

Facilitates reflex changes in the chronic muscle holding pattern

Alters spinal reflex activity (facilitated segment)

Increases the rate and amount of blood flow to and from the area

Increases cellular activity in the region, including fibroblasts and mast cells

Increases histamine response secondary to mast cell activity

How are the Medi-cups used?

MediCupping cups are used to enhance the therapists ability to detect adhesions, scar tissue or restrictions in the affected areas. Skilled therapists use the cups to move over problem areas to see if there is a “catch” on fibrotic tissue, which immediately identifies the areas of restriction. Once the tissue has been identified, the cups are used to break up the scar tissue/adhesion so it can be absorbed by the body. The intended suction can range from light to heavy. It is versatile and can easily be modified to accommodate the client so as not to exceed the client’s pain tolerances.

Why is scar tissue a problem?

Scar tissue limits range of motion, and in many instances causes pain, which prevents the patient from functioning as he or she did before the injury.

How is scar tissue different from other tissue?

When viewed under a microscope, normal tissue can take a couple of different fashions: dense, regular elongated fibers running in the same direction, such as tendons and ligaments; or dense, irregular and loose with fibers running in multiple directions. In either instance, when tissue is damaged it will heal in a haphazard pattern–or scarring–that results in a restricted range of motion and, very often, pain.

Is MediCupping used alone?

Sometimes. Whether the injury is work or non-work related, the MediCupping protocol is the same. Our protocol includes a brief warm up of the tissues using effleurage and petrissage techniques, then the MediCupping technique is used, then followed by slow soft passes using the cups to help disperse heat and toxins from the area which was worked. Sessions can be as little as 30 minutes or used in conjunction with 60 minute or 90 minute massage sessions to give optimal results.

What is the frequency of treatment?

Clients usually receive one to two treatments per week over 3-6 weeks, depending if the treatment is for scar tissue work or soft tissue work. Most clients have a positive response within the 4th-6th treatment for scar tissue work and within the 2nd-4th treatment when dealing with soft tissue work.

Will treatments affect my everyday activities?

Most clients do not experience discomfort that would not allow them continue to perform their regular functions at home or work.

If they perform modeling that reveals the affected areas, in that case, they would most likely be affected and not be able to perform their regular work duties.

Is the treatment painful?

It is common to experience minor discomfort during the course of therapy and some skin discoloration such as deep red splotches and what appears like a rash afterwards. There may also be slight cup rings in the area that was worked. This is a normal response and part of the healing process.

Rings are not commonly left after a treatment but they do happen here and there, however, these are NOT bruises. Bruises spread. The marks that may be received from a MediCupping session will stay in a perfect circle or where the cup was dragged across the skin further proving that no bruising has occurred. These marks will fade as the toxins and blood pulled from within the muscles are flushed out of the system, and last on average between 1 to 4 days

After the stagnant blood/fluid is removed, better circulation is promoted and toxins are able to be filtered through the lymphatic system. Drinking water facilitates the removal of these waste products from your system.